Q1 Abilities In Abundance Special Edition

Workforce InitiativesBuilding Partnerships for a Healthy Workforce

2016 Quarterly Newsletter

CVS Health Workforce Initiatives | Quarterly Newsletter 2016 |

Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center Partnership Success CelebratedMonths of planning, curriculum development and training culminated in the April 11 gradu-ation of the first four students to complete the CVS Health training program at the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center (WWRC) in Fishersville, VA. Also, a gala ribbon cutting marked the opening of a CVS Health mock store at the Center, the fulfillment of Workforce Initiatives Manager Duane Rohr’s efforts to offer a comprehensive vocational training pro-gram on site at WWRC.Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center provides people with disabilities comprehensive, individualized services to realize personal independence through employment.Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe led an array of government officials, WWRC leaders, and CVS Health colleagues, including David Casey, Vice President of Workforce Strategies and Chief Diversity Officer, in honoring the first graduates of the innovative job training program, a collaboration of WWRC and CVS Health.McAuliffe addressed the crowd of students, families and staff speaking about the importance for Virginians with disabilities to have the opportunity to obtain jobs. “Students who master skills and graduate from this program have qualifications to apply at any one of the 340 CVS Health stores in Virginia,” said McAuliffe.

INSIDE: ABILITIES IN ABUNDANCE! SUCCESS STORIES

1

From left: David Casey, V.P. Workforce Strategies & Chief Diversity Officer; Duane Rohr, Workforce Initiatives Manager; The Honorable Terry McAuliffe, Gov. of Virginia.

FROM THE SR. DIRECTORAbilities in Abundance – Leading with Heart

In this issue of the Workforce Initiatives Newsletter, several stories of outreach and collaboration are high-lighted; showcasing that hiring a qualified person with a disAbility isn’t just filling a job. It

is meeting the needs of our business and of our communities. Mock training stores have opened at the Woodrow Wilson Workforce Rehabilita-tion Center in VA, and in Riverside, CA in partnership with California’s WorkAbility program. These are two great examples where people with disAbilities are receiving job training, and learning skills that lead to personal development and employment op-portunities with CVS Health. Additional out-standing examples exist across the states of California and Massachusetts and in other markets such as New York City where our partnerships and programs are leading to great opportunities to fill open positions with qualified candidates. The Workforce Initiatives team, working with other CVS Health colleagues, statewide and local vocational rehabilitation agencies, non-profits, and schools are developing re-lationships that bring diverse colleagues into our organization based on their talent and capabilities. The featured success stories il-lustrate how eight individuals have benefited from the Abilities in Abundance program. They are excited about working at CVS, and are receiving high marks from their store leaders as valued team members.Our Abilities Colleague Resource Group has a mission of positioning CVS Health as the company of choice for customers, colleagues, and individuals with differing Abilities. They are taking action to foster, at all levels, an inclusive environment that engages and empowers all individuals in the CVS Health workforce, workplace and marketplace.CVS Health Abilities in Abundance pro-grams continue to be recognized state-wide and nationally across the country. I congratulate all of our colleagues who have been engaged and supportive of these pro-grams and partnerships, which continue to grow; demonstrating that hiring people with disAbilities is the right thing for our business and a great example of us living our shared values each and every day.

– Ernie DuPont(continued on page 2)

| CVS Health Workforce Initiatives | Quarterly Newsletter 20162

Wilson Workforce & Rehabilitation Center Celebration

David Casey also participated in the ceremony. He and the governor presented plaques to the graduates, after which he told the audience, “We’ve realized for a long time that people with disabilities are a great source of talent and way too often overlooked. The need could not be clearer, “said Casey. “Even though the word disability has 10 letters, far too often do we give the most attention to the first three.”

Two of the students, Shanile Holloway and Kaylee Rushing were offered employment at the event. Shanille is a new associate at CVS Pharmacy # 5796 in the Hampton area of Virginia, and Kaylee is working at CVS Pharmacy #2129 in Stafford, VA. Student graduates Kayla Wade and Kayla Wayte are completing the application process.

A two-week training program teaches customer service, register, merchandising and back room organization skills, followed by a six-week internship at a CVS pharmacy, and a week’s training for the application process. Students come from the entire Commonwealth of Virginia to train in the program on campus, and then return to their hometown to find employment.

The WWRC project was made possible through collaboration with Workforce Initiative Manager Duane Rohr, WWRC Director Rick Sizemore, and CVS Health enterprise-wide participation and support, including Regional Manager Jack Schwartzbach, Region 23 HRBP Michelle Mercer, Field Manager Jillian Jackson, district managers, and store managers.

“This event was a success in every way,” said Workforce Initiatives Manager Duane Rohr. “Seeing the excitement on the stu-dent’s faces, talking to them and hearing how happy they were to be going to work for CVS Health was life changing.”

Other CVS Health Workforce Initiatives colleagues in attendance were Sr. Director Ernie DuPont, Sr. Advisor Olivia Lang, D.C. Regional Learning Center Manager Stacey Butler, along with Coordinators Tammy Gilliam and Erika Bailey.

Top photo, front row: Commissioner James Rothrock, Gov. Terry McAuliffe (speaking), David Casey (V.P. Workforce Strategies), Duane Rohr (WI Manager). Back row: Sen. Emmett Hanger, Del. Steve Landes, Del. Dickie Bell, Rick Sizemore (Director WWRC), Anne Hudlow (WWRC Foundation), Dale Batten (DARS), LaPearl Smith (DARS). Above left: Duane Rohr, David Casey, Kaylee Rushing, and Commissioner James Rothrock. Above right, first row: Ernie DuPont, Stacey Butler (RLC Manager), Shanile Holloway (Graduate offered job), Kayla Wayte (Graduate), Tammy Gilliam (RLC Coordinator), Kayla Wade (Graduate), Kaylee Rushing (Graduate offered job), Erika Bailey (RLC Coordinator). Second row: Michael Craft (CVS Store Manager), Chris Roth (CVS Store Manager), Betty Hearn (CVS Store Manager), Marybeth Rubenstein (CVS Store Manager), Jillian Jackson (Field Training Manager), Robert Alley (CVS District Manager), Michelle Mercer (CVS HRBP).

HANNAH EASSAHannah Eassa is a student at Northern Virginia Community College pursuing an associate’s degree. Her father, a transitioning veteran, learned about job opportu-nities with CVS Health at Ft. Bragg, NC, and thought that his daughter would be a good fit for employment since the military and CVS share so many basic values. He contacted Workforce Initiatives Manager Ed Pethan, sharing that she is autis-tic and has a learning disability identified as dyscalculia, and that a job with CVS could provide focus and direction.Ed contacted Hannah, and encouraged her to request a face-to-face interview to discuss her application for a clerk-cashier position. With guidance, mentoring and increased confidence, Hannah interviewed with Store Manager Ah Xul, and was hired at CVS Pharmacy #1398 in Springfield, VA. Her disability was not discussed during the hiring process. Potential barriers to employment were avoided by put-ting people first and trusting that personal contact can create positive relation-ships.Although Ed and the Eassa’s have never met in person, they have developed a vibrant relationship through long distance telephone calls, e-mailing and texting. Ed shares, “There are thousands of talented military family members like Hannah who can add to the diverse CVS Health Workforce Initiatives talent pipeline.”

3

ChuckandHannahEassa

Abilities In Abundance!SUCCESS STORIES

KYLE MENDEZThrough AHRC New York City, Kyle was introduced to the CVS Health mock pharmacy program offered at the CVS Health NYC Regional Leaning Center (RLC).AHRC New York City is committed to finding ways for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities to live self-deter-mined and meaningful lives in their communities. The CVS Health mock pharmacy program/AHRC partnership was developed by RLC Manager Lisa Dowd and Coordinator Joana Lisboa. A seven-week training segment includes orientation, register train-ing, an in-store experience at CVS Pharmacy # 1618 with store manager Edward Galis (housed in the same building as the RLC) and mock interview preparation. This is followed by an eight-week internship at a CVS pharmacy. Kyle successfully completed his internship at CVS Pharmacy #3295, and was subsequently hired on April 7 by store manager Janice Mer-ckling. During the program, Lisboa worked with Kyle, helping him to achieve his goal of becoming a CVS Health associate.“When you hear of someone that has a disability you automati-cally think the person isn’t capable of doing things effectively. I’ve learned recently that is an unfair and untrue statement. Kyle Men-dez has been a breath of fresh air here at store 3295. He is the most energetic, polite, and happy person. He is such a pleasure, is always ready and excited about the work that he does and truly enjoys helping our customers. The world would benefit from more people like him and he has set the bar extremely high for the rest of my staff to follow,” said store manager Janice Merckling.

Hannah and her father, Chuck.

Kyle and Store Manager Janice Merckling.




DAVID SIKESDavid does not give up. He is an example of someone who had a goal, and despite setbacks, persevered.David tried over a long period of time to gain employment in a pharmacy setting. He worked for a short period at a retail store pharmacy, but it was not a successful experience. He then completed a pharmacy technician program offered at a community college that did not result in being able to get a job. However, undaunted, he enrolled in a pharmacy technician training program offered at the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Com-mission (MRC), in partnership with CVS Health. The 8-week program combines LearnX, the CVS Health Pharmacy Technician training curriculum with MRC training in soft skills and job preparedness. At completion of the program, students who have the skills and aptitude for jobs at CVS Health are referred for employment.David was a member of the first CVS/MRC pharmacy tech graduation class in March 2015. The third try to work at a pharmacy was successful. On April 4, shortly after graduation, he was hired at CVS Pharmacy #220 in Marlborough, MA where he still works. Store Manager Victoria Goguen recognized his ambition and ability, enabling David to realize his dream.

DAWN SCHULZDawn Schulz is a 2015 success as a result of the Pharmacy Tech training program offered at the Massachusetts Rehabilita-tion Commission (MRC) in partnership with CVS Health. The MRC, a division of the Massachusetts Department of Health and Human Services, promotes equality, empowerment and independence to individuals with disabilities. The eight-week training program combines LearnX, the CVS Health Pharmacy Technician training curriculum, with MRC training in soft skills and job preparedness.After completion of the CVS Pharmacy Technician program, Dawn was immediately identified as the right talent for a CVS Health job opportunity, and the interest was mutual. Dawn completed the application process and scheduled interviews with several stores. She accepted a position at CVS Pharmacy #938 in North Attleboro, MA.

KAYLEE RUSHINGKaylee Rushing, a 22 year old from Henrico County, VA, was ecstatic to be a member of the first graduating class from the CVS Health training program of-fered at the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center (WWRC) in Fishersville, VA. According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, “…her excitement bubbled to the surface as Gov. Terry McAuliffe put his arm around her shoulders.” The Gov-ernor attended the ceremony on April 11 and with David Casey, CVS Health Vice President, Workforce Strategies and Chief Diversity Officer, presented plaques to the four graduates.Kaylee’s story is compelling. She was severely abused as a child and bullied at school. She suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and several de-bilitating disabilities. After graduating from Varina High School in Henrico in June 2014, she entered a job training program at the WWRC. She was subsequently selected for the center’s first CVS Health training class, where she learned about customer service and stocking in the mock CVS store located on campus.After completion of the nine-week program, Kaylee applied for a position at CVS Pharmacy #2129 in Stafford, VA, where she is now an associate.Kaylee told Workforce Initiatives Manager Duane Rohr that all she wanted to do was get married, which she is doing next month, and work for CVS Health. “We have made that happen for her,” states Rohr.

Kaylee is very happy to graduate.


ANGELA GONZALESAngela Gonzales was part of the Workability 1 work experience program at CVS Pharmacy #9166 in San Marcos, CA. She was honored with a $200 check from Workforce Initiatives Manager Kathy Burris on April 12 as recipient of a Student of Excellence Award for going above and beyond as a Workability 1 student. Angela was very shy at the beginning, but over time with the help of the CVS team, she broke out of her shell and really enjoyed helping the customers and working with her peers at CVS.Angela was hired in June 2015, and is still working at CVS. States Store Manager Lou Rugari, “Angela works very hard and we are glad to have her on the team.”

Workability I Student Awards of ExcellenceWorkability I is a California Department of Education, Special Education Division funded program that provides pre-employ-ment skills, worksite training, and follow-up services for youth in special education who are making the transition from school to work. It provides students with the opportunity to complete their secondary education while obtaining marketable job skills.

MICHAEL HENRIQUESMichael Henriques, a junior at Lincoln High School in Lincoln, CA and a Workability 1 work experience student, received a Stu-dent of Excellence Award presented by CVS Health Workforce Initiatives Manager Kathy Burris on April 6. He was honored with a check for $200 for going above and beyond as a Workability I student.Michael started his work experience in December 2015 at CVS Health Pharmacy #9535 in Lincoln, CA. Store Manager Calvin Smith worked with Michael, giving him a variety of tasks such as greeting customers, stocking shelves and building end caps. According to Michael, the best part of his day is when the store manager tells him he appreciates all of his hard work. Michael shared at the awards ceremony held at the Lincoln CVS pharmacy, “At first I was so nervous, but shortly after working with the CVS team and learning more about my job tasks I became excited to go to work and get the job done. I really enjoy building end caps because it gives me a chance to work with my hands.” He also said that he would save the award money to use towards purchase of his first car.“Michael works hard and that is why we enjoy him at our store,” said Smith. He is still in the Workability I program at the store.

CAESAR TORRESCaesar Torres was part of the Workability 1 work experience program in Whittier, CA at CVS Pharmacy #4791. Store Manager Patti Meyers states, “While a student, Caesar worked hard and really stepped up to help our customers.” Caesar was the recipient of a Student Award of Excellence for his outstanding performance at CVS, and was presented with a $200 check from Workforce Initiatives Manager Kathy Burris for going above and beyond as a Workability 1 student.During the work experience he learned several job skills—greeting customers and walking them to the products and stocking the shelves. He also learned valuable life skills such as team work and decision making.Through this experience, Caesar gained self confidence, and is now an employee at the store, where according to Meyers he is a great addition to the team.

5CVS Health Workforce Initiatives | Quarterly Newsletter 2016 |


CVS Health - NET/VR: 234 Jobs With CVS HealthWorkforce Initiatives Manager Kathy Burris accepted the 2016 National Employment Team (NET) Business Partner Award on behalf of CVS Health in Washington, DC this month, recognizing the 234 jobs that were produced by the partnership. The NET offers business and pub-lic sectors a designated point of contact with qualified applicants, re-sources and support services in their local area, multi-state or national marketplace. The NET provides employment support in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the territories, and is a one-company ap-proach to serving a variety of businesses through the national network of 80 publicly funded vocational rehabilitation (VR) programs.

The award recognized that CVS Health is the fastest growing health care provider in the U.S. As stated on the award plaque, “CVS Health has operations across the country including their retail operations, pharmacy, health care clinics, and in-home services. They incorporate disability into their diversity vision, understanding that their workforce must reflect their customer base.”

CVS has a long-term commitment to partnerships with VR, from their retail hires, to distribution centers and their Pharmacy Tech training pro-gram. Stated the award certificate, “The CVS Health commitment to a diverse workforce, including employees with disabilities, is evident across the country.”

The Abilities in Abundance Colleague Resource Group (CRG) works to increase awareness of the important role that cus-tomers and colleagues with disabilities play in the CVS Health workforce, workplace and marketplace. This is accomplished by taking action to foster, at all levels, an inclusive, supportive environment that empowers and engages all individuals with differing abilities.

The CRG outreach is guided by four strategic objectives:

• Workforce Representation – Continuously improve CVS Health position in the market as a best practice, equal op-portunity employer for people with cognitive and physical disabilities.

• Colleague Engagement – Create and sustain a fully inclu-sive workplace culture that minimizes the “dis” in disability by educating, equipping and empowering CVS Health col-leagues with information and resources.

• Talent Systems-Identify and champion the adoption of “make a way” policies, procedures and benefits that re-move all barriers to workplace flexibility and reasonable ac-commodations.

• Marketplace – Position CVS Health as the pharmacy ser-vices provider of choice through policy and legislative ad-vocacy, relevant products and services, community relations and procurement opportunities for disability owned business enterprises (DOBE’s).

Enterprise Best Practices Seven Action Areas for measur-ing success:

• Lead the Way-Inclusive business culture.• Hire and Keep the best-personnel processes.• Ensure productivity – reasonable accommodation procedures.• Build the pipeline – outreach and recruitment: growing partnerships across the country.• Communicate – external and internal communication of company policies and practices.• Be tech savvy – Accessible information and communica tion technology.• Grow success – Accountability and continuous improve ment systems.

The Abilities in Abundance executive sponsor is Jon Robert, Executive Vice President, CVS Health and President CVS/Caremark. National cochairs are David Casey, Vice President Workforce Strategies and Chief Diversity Officer and Chelsey Martin, Sr. Consultant Talent Management.The Steering Committee members are Kim Agresti, Employee Relations Consultant; Workforce Initiatives Managers Lena Bar-kley, Kathy Burris and Rick Laferriere; Linda Knight, Employee Relations Specialist; and Joann Therrien, Sr. Consultant Em-ployee Relations.

AIA Colleague Resource Group

Kathy Burris, left, CVS Health WI Manager, with Kathleen West-Evans, Director of Business Relations, National Employment Team.

7

Mock CVS Store in Riverside, CaliforniaHelps Adults With Disabilities Train for Jobs

Workforce Initiatives, in partnership with the Riverside, CA Unified School district’s Adult School Campus celebrated the grand open-ing of the CVS Health mock store on January 28, to a large audi-ence and media presence.The project, spearheaded by enterprise disability consultant Re-becca Martinez, is a collaborative effort between CVS Health, the Department of Education Riverside, Special Education Work-Ability 1 program, and local CVS operators. The store, created through a California WorkAbility grant, is the first of its kind on the west coast. The mock store serves as a training facility to teach retail skills to students enrolled in the Riverside district’s Transition Education Ad-

justment Model (T.E.A.M.).Currently, 52 students age 19-22 are participating in the program. Through the WorkAbility grant, students completing the training can later work in any CVS pharmacy in California.The T.E.A.M. students learn basic skills such as pricing products, operating a cash register, stocking shelves and bagging purchases.“Developmentally disabled middle and high school students will also be working in the store as part of their life skills class,” explained Connie Wahlin, Project T.E.A.M. program specialist. She and Marti-nez worked closely to implement the mock store training facility. “All the partners have an extraordinary commitment,” stated Martinez. “I knew they were an ideal team to put this project together.”

Top left photo: Riverside USD special education team teachers with Rebecca Martinez (center), set up the mock store. They are from left: Lisa Masi, Tedra Trimm, Connie Wahlin (Director of Special Education, Concepcion Altamirano, Laura Williams.Top right photo: Riverside USD team with store manager and DM, helped to cut the ribbon.Bottom photo: Excited T.E.A.M. students and attendees tour the store.



For more information about CVS Health Workforce Initiatives, Abilities In Abundance programs,please contact us at [email protected].

ACADEMY FOR CAREER AND LIVING SKILLS

ACCESS POINT RI

ACCESSIBLE OPTIONS

ALABAMA DEPT. OF REHABILITATION

AZ REHABILITATION SERVICES

CALIFORNIA STATE REHABILITATION

CALIFORNIA STATES DISABILITY SERVICES ASSOCIATION

CENTER FOR HEARING AND COMMUNICATION

CEVEC – CUYAHOGA EAST VOCATIONAL EDUCATION CONSORTIUM

COMMUNITY STEPS TO INDEPENDENCE

CUYAHOGA COUNTY BOARD OF DISABILITY

DAR’S DIVISION FOR BLIND SERVICES

DARS - VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF DISABILITY SERVICES – WASHINGTON DC

EASTER SEALS

EMPLOYMENT ALLIANCE

FAIRFIELD COUNTY SCHOOLS

FITZMAURICE COMMUNITY SERVICES, INC.

FLORIDA DEPT. OF REHABILITATION

FRANKLIN COUNTY SCHOOLS

FRIENDSHIP HOME

GEAUGA COUNTY SCHOOLS

GOODWILL INDUSTRIES

IVY MOUNT SCHOOL

JFSA – JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES ASSOCIATION

JEWISH VOCATIONAL SERVICES

JEWISH SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY

KEN’S KREW

KOINONIA

Abilities In Abundance! STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS

LAGUARDIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

MAINE BUREAU OF REHABILITATION SERVICES

MARYLAND DIVISION OF REHABILITATION SERVICES

MASSACHUSETTS REHABILITATION COMMISSION

RIVERSIDE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

NATIONAL BUSINESS AND DISABILITY COUNSEL

NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT TEAM COUNCIL OF STATE ADMINISTRATORS OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION

NC DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION

NEW HAMPSHIRE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION

NO BARRIERS

OHIO OPPORTUNITIES FOR OHIOANS WITH DISABILITIES

PA OFFICE OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION/NYS

PEPIN ACADEMY

SALEM STATE

SEARCH FOR CHANGE

TC BOARD OF DISABILITIES

TLC OUTCOMES

TOPS/GOODWILL

UNITED SPINAL ASSOCIATION

USBLN-UNITED STATES BUSINESS LEADERSHIP NETWORK

VA HEALTH SYSTEMS HOMELESSNESS PROGRAM

VERMONT CREATIVE WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS/VR

WAYNE/HOLMES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF DISABILITIES

WILSON WORKFORCE REHABILITATION CENTER

WOOSTER COUNTY BDD – WOOSTER COUNTY BOARD OF DISABILITIES

WORKABILITY I

YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS PROJECT

Documents

Q1 Abilities In Abundance Special Edition